Wireless headset system

ABSTRACT

A wireless headset system includes a housing having at least a wireless communication component configured to communicate with a wireless host device. The housing includes a body portion, an ear-bud portion having at least a speaker operatively coupled with the wireless communications component, and a neck portion having an ear-bud end and a body end, the ear-bud end coupled with the ear-bud portion, the body end coupled with the body portion. The housing is attachable on the wireless host device between an inner surface of the ear-bud portion and an inner surface of the body portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. patent application claims priority to pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/814,190 filed on Jul. 30, 2015 which isincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to the field of wirelessheadsets.

Discussion of Art

Wireless headsets are used to increase the convenience of mobile devicesby leveraging functionality without requiring the user to directlyaccess and handle the mobile devices. This keeps the user's hands freefor other tasks and avoids the chore of having to look for a mobiledevice in a purse, vehicle compartment, pocket, et cetera. Wirelessheadsets are not used exclusively for mobile phone calls, but can alsobe used with multimedia and other functional or entertainment content.Headsets not only increase convenience for the user, but also benefitpeople around the user, who might be disrupted by audio from a speakerheld away from the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the present innovations, there is provided a wirelessheadset system for a wireless host device. The wireless headset systemincludes a housing having at least a wireless communication componentconfigured to communicate with a wireless host device. The housingincludes: a body portion, an ear-bud portion having at least a speakeroperatively coupled with the wireless communications component, and aneck portion having an ear-bud end and a body end, the ear-bud endcoupled with the ear-bud portion, the body end coupled with the bodyportion, the neck portion separating the ear-bud portion and the bodyportion by a distance. The housing is attachable on the wireless hostdevice between an inner surface of the ear-bud portion and an innersurface of the body portion, and where the body portion and the ear-budportion are positionable to vary the distance between the body portionand the ear-bud portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in particular embodimentsof the invention are illustrated as described in more detail in thedescription below, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the wireless headsetdevice;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective side angle view of an embodiment of thewireless headset device attached to a wireless host device;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective front angle view of a second embodimentof the wireless headset device attached to a wireless host device;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective side angle view of an embodiment of thewireless headset device attached to a wireless host device, furthersecured by a clip;

FIGS. 5aand 5b ) illustrate a perspective view of an embodiment of thewireless headset. Displayed are the inner surfaces of the ear-budportion of the housing and the body portion of the housing.

FIG. 6 illustrates wireless communications between the wireless headsetdevice, the wireless host device, and a second host device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An example of a concern before users of conventional wireless headsetsis the difficulty in finding the headset when needed, as they sometimesget lost when stowed apart from the phone. The size of traditionalwireless headsets also makes them easy to misplace. The innovationsdisclosed herein therefore provide solutions for managing andmaintaining wireless headsets when not in use.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a wireless headset system for awireless host device. The wireless headset comprises a housing whichincludes a body portion, an ear-bud portion, and a neck portion whichconnects the body portion and ear-bud portion. The neck portion can becurved or straight. The shape of the housing allows the wireless headsetto be attached to a wireless host device for convenient storage.

The housing can have at least a wireless communications componentconfigured to communicate with the associated wireless host device. Theear-bud portion comprises a speaker operatively coupled with thewireless communications component. While in use, the ear-bud portion isable to be inserted into the user's ear. The body portion can have amicrophone component which is operatively coupled with the wirelesscommunications component. The body portion can terminate as anelectronic connector such as a USB connector, among others. Saidelectronic connector is coupled to a battery within the housing and isable to charge the battery via an outside power source such as a wallcharging unit, computer port, or other electrical connector.

The term “housing” refers to a casmg that encloses and protects theinternal components of a wireless headset, and generally defines theoverall shape and structure of the headset at large. The housing has anear-bud portion, a body portion, and a neck portion, and can includeother elements in embodiments. The housing may be constructed of one ormore materials and is attachable on the wireless host device.

The term “wireless communications component” refers to a component thatis configured to perform at least one of transmitting or receiving datawith at least a wireless host device. The wireless communicationcomponent can communicate via any wireless communication protocol suchas Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee, among others.

As used herein, a “headset” refers to any system or device configured tobe worn on a user's head. A headset can be a subcomponent of anothersystem not entirely worn by the user or not worn in whole or part on auser's head. While this application is directed to headsets, suchterminology is intended to convey the spirit of innovative aspectsherein which may be equally applicable to other small components such aswearable devices on a user's collar, sleeve, wrist, or other body part,or a device having an optional stylus or other pointing device.

As used herein, an “ear-bud” refers to any system, device, or componentconfigured to produce sound and be at least partially insertable into auser's ear canal or similarly attachable thereabout. While “ear-bud” isfrequently recited in this disclosure, such terminology is intended toconvey the spirit of innovative aspects herein which may be equallyapplicable to other small components and means for attachingnon-ear-canal wearables such as clips, rings, hooks, headbands,adhesives, et cetera.

As used herein, “flexible” is defined as being capable of bendingwithout breaking. “Flexible” may be used to describe a component thatcan bend in at least one of an inward direction and an outwarddirection.

As used herein, “positionable” describes a component or device that canbe temporarily flexed, compressed, or otherwise manipulated. Thecomponent or device then returns to a default “holding” position whichprovides enough force or friction to maintain the component or device'sposition on another object without external forces applied.“Compressible” as used herein refers to a component or material which isable to be condensed with applied pressure. A “compressible” materialcan re-expand and provide a force which can provide a seal, increasefriction, or clasp an item positioned in between compressible materials,“Stretchable” as used herein refers to a component or material which isable to he drawn out or expanded along the component or a dimensionthereof by an applied force or forces without the component or materialbreaking. The “stretchable” material can return to its original defaultshape and length once the stretching force is removed.

As used herein, “display” refers to any electronic device for the visualpresentation of data which can include images, videos, et cetera. A“display” may include any wearable display such as an over-eye display,a display integrated into eyeglasses or eyeglass frames, or a contactlens display among others.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, a wireless headset device 100 includes ahousing. The housing includes at least a wireless communicationscomponent 600 configured to communicate with a wireless host device 201.The housing comprises three major portions; a body portion 101, anear-bud portion 102, and a neck portion 103. The ear-bud portion 102comprises at least a speaker 104 operatively coupled with the wirelesscommunications component 600. The neck portion 103 has an ear bud endand a body end. The ear-bud end of the neck portion 103 is coupled withthe ear-bud portion 102 at an end of the ear-bud portion 102, this endhereinafter referred to as the “top” of the ear-bud portion 102, and thebody end of the neck portion 103 is coupled with the body portion 101.The wireless headset device 100 can also include body portion components105, ear-bud portion components 106, and neck portion components 107,wherein any of these component groups can include the wirelesscommunication component 600, a printed circuit board (“PCB”), a battery,an indicator light, a multifunction button, or other electrical,electronic, or mechanical functional and/or aesthetic components. Thebody portion 101 can include a microphone component 108 which isoperatively coupled with the wireless communications component 600. Thebody portion 101 may also comprise at least one of a display, a camera,and/or other components. Further, the body portion 101 can terminate asan electronic connector 109 such as a USB connector or port. Thiselectronic connector 109 is operatively coupled to the battery andfunctions to charge the battery from an outside source such as a wallcharging unit, computer port, or other electrical adapter. Inalternative or complementary embodiments, charging adapters can belocated at other locations on or in electronic connector 109. In atleast one embodiment, device 100 is configured to mate with a port ofwireless host device 201 when connected to facilitate not only headsetretention but also charging from wireless host device 201.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, inner distance 112 depicts the distancebetween the inner surface of the ear-bud portion 502 and the innersurface of the body portion 501 at the top of the ear-bud portion, wherethe “top” of the ear-bud portion 102 is the end of the ear-bud portion102 that is coupled with the neck portion 103. In at least oneembodiment, this inner distance 112 is equal to or greater than thewidth of the wireless host device 201. Clipping distance 113 depicts thedistance between the inner surface of the ear-bud portion 502 and theinner surface of the body portion 501 at the bottom of the ear budportion, where the “bottom” of the ear-bud portion 102 is the end of theear-bud portion 102 that is not coupled with the neck portion 103. In atleast one embodiment, when the wireless headset device 100 is in itsoriginal default shape (meaning the device has no forces acting on it),the clipping distance 113 is equal to or less than the inner distance112. In certain embodiments, the clipping distance 113 is less than thewidth of the wireless host device 201. Outward flexing of the ear-budportion 102 and the body portion 101 increase the clipping distance 113to allow the wireless headset device 100 to be clipped onto the wirelesshost device 201.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, at least one embodiment of thewireless headset device 100 includes a clipping spring 110 coupled withthe neck portion 103 and at least one of the body portion 101 and theear-bud portion 102. The clipping spring 110 has a spring tension thatresists an increase to the clipping distance 113 by outward flexing. Inanother embodiment, the neck portion 103 and the body portion 101 format least one joint 111 at the connection point. A joint, in general, canbe any moveable, flexible, or deformable component interfacing betweenother components that allows those components to move with respect toone another. This joint can include springs, hinges, bearings, etcetera. The joint can also be constructed of rubber, plastic, or anyother material that is flexible, stretchable, compressible, et cetera.The pans that the joint links can be either rigid or flexiblethemselves. The joint 111 allows the neck portion 103 to be inwardlymobile towards the body portion 101. In certain embodiments, the joint111 is formed at the connection point between the ear-bud portion 102and the neck portion 103. In other embodiments, the joint 111 isvertically oriented and located wholly on the neck portion 103.

In another embodiment of the wireless headset device 100, the neckportion 103 is at least partially flexible. With the neck portion 103 atleast partially flexible, the body portion 101 and the ear-bud portion102 are outwardly flexible. “Outward” refers to a direction that is awayfrom the opposing housing portion member. For example, an outwardmovement of the ear-bud portion 102 would be a movement in the directionaway from the body portion 101. Further, an outward movement of the bodyportion 101 would be a movement in the direction away from the ear-budportion 102. Alternately, “inward” refers to a direction that is towardsthe opposing housing portion member. “Outward” flexing increases theclipping distance 113 while “inward” flexing decreases the clippingdistance 113. The body portion 101 and the ear-bud portion 102 beingoutwardly flexible allows for a temporary increase in clipping distance113 and allows the wireless headset device 100 to be positioned andclipped onto the host device 201. In addition to the neck portion 103being at least partially flexible, the body portion 101 and the ear-budportion 102 may be at least partially flexible as well.

As previously mentioned, the body portion components 105, ear-budportion components 106, and neck portion components 107 can include thewireless communication component 600, a printed circuit board (“PCB”), abattery, an indicator light, or a multifunction button. In order toaccommodate the shape and form factor of the housing, one or both of thePCB and the battery may be curved, constructed from flexible material,or both.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, the housing of the wireless headset device100 is attachable on the wireless host device 201 between an innersurface of the ear-bud portion 502 and an inner surface of the bodyportion 501. The wireless host device 201 can make contact with theentire surface area of the inner surface of the ear-bud portion 502 orthe wireless host device 201 can make contact with a portion of thesurface area of the inner surface of the ear-bud portion 502. Similarly,the wireless host device 201 can make contact with the entire surfacearea of the inner surface of the body portion 501 or the wireless hostdevice 201 can make contact with a portion of the surface area of theinner surface of the body portion 501. As seen in FIG. 2, the distancebetween the ear-bud portion 102 and the body portion 101 can vary overthe length 202 of the ear-bud portion.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a clip 400 can be used to removeably securethe wireless headset 100 housing to the wireless host device 201. Theclip 400 includes a plug 401 configured to mate with a port on thewireless host device 201. This port can be any type of connection suchas an audio port, charging port, USB port, among others. The clip 400has a holding arm 402 to hold the headset 100 in place when the clip 400is attached to the wireless host device 201. There are two stabilizingside anus 403. A cross beam 404 connects the stabilizing side arms 403,the holding arm 402, and the plug 401. In alternative or complementaryembodiments clip 400 can match the geometry or contour of a devicewithout coupling through a port. The user can remove the clip 400 fromthe wireless host device 201 anytime as desired.

As illustrated in FIG. 5a and FIG. 5 b, the wireless headset device 100has an inner surface of the body portion 501 and an inner surface of theear-bud portion 502. These surfaces can be constructed of or coated withmaterials including flexible or compressible materials. The innersurfaces of the body portion 501 and the ear-bud portion 502 can beconstructed or coated with a single material or portions of the surfaceareas can consist of multiple different materials. In at least oneembodiment, construction of these inner surfaces is from a softelastomeric or rubberized material causing an increased friction withthe wireless host device 201 surface.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the wireless communications component 600 isconfigured to communicate wirelessly with the wireless host device 201.The wireless communication can be accomplished via any wirelesscommunication protocol such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, et cetera. Thewireless communications component 600 can be wirelessly paired with atleast the wireless host device 201. Additionally, the wirelesscommunications component 600 can be paired with the wireless host device201 and at least a second host device 601. For example, the wirelesshost device 201 can be a wireless smartphone and a second host device601 can he a laptop computer. The user can, for example, use thewireless headset device 100 to listen to music or other audio sourcedfrom a laptop computer (second host device 601), but also seamlesslyreceive and answer phone calls sourced from the user's cell phone(wireless host device 201). For purposes of clarity, wireless hostdevice 201, second host device 601, and others need not be exclusivelywireless themselves, but only communicate wirelessly to interact withwireless headset device 100. In this manner, wireless headset device 100may interact with, e.g., a desktop computer.

In an embodiment, the wireless headset system includes a housing havingat least a wireless communication component 600 configured tocommunicate with a wireless host device 201. The housing includes: abody portion 101, an ear-bud portion 102 having at least a speaker 104operatively coupled with the wireless communications component 600, anda neck portion 103 having an ear-bud end and a body end, the ear-bud endcoupled with the ear-bud portion 102, the body end coupled with the bodyportion 101, the neck portion 103 separating the ear-bud portion 102 andthe body portion 101 by a distance. The housing is attachable on thewireless host device 201 between an inner surface of the ear-bud portion502 and an inner surface of the body portion 501, and where the bodyportion 101 and the ear-bud portion 102 are positionable to vary thedistance between the body portion 101 and the ear-bud portion 102. Thedistance between the ear-bud portion 102 and the body portion 101 variesover a length 202 of the ear-bud portion 102 wherein the body portion101 and the ear-bud portion 102 are separated by an inner distance 112at a top of the ear-bud portion 102. The inner distance 112 is equal toor greater than a thickness of the wireless host device 201. The ear-budportion 102 is separated from the body portion 101 by a clippingdistance 113 at the bottom of the ear-bud portion 102. At least one ofthe ear-bud portion 102 and the body portion 101 are outwardly flexibleto vary the clipping distance 113 based at least in part on the neckportion 103 being at least partially flexible. In another embodiment, atleast one of the ear-bud portion 102 and the body portion 101 isconstructed in part of a compressible material, the compressiblematerial compressing or expanding to increase or decrease the clippingdistance 113. In another embodiment, the neck portion 103 is curved.

In another embodiment, the wireless headset 100 comprises a clippingspring 110 coupled with the neck portion 103 and at least one of thebody portion 101 and the ear-bud portion 102. The clipping spring 110has a spring tension resisting increase to the clipping distance 113 byoutward flexing. In another embodiment, the body portion 101 comprises amicrophone component 108 operatively coupled with the wirelesscommunications component 600. In another embodiment, the body portion101 comprises at least one of a display and a camera. Yet anotherembodiment includes a clip 400 which includes a plug 401 configured tomate with a wireless host device 201 port The clip 400 is configured toremoveably secure the wireless headset 100 housing to the wireless hostdevice 201.

In certain embodiments, the wireless headset system comprises a batteryin the housing. The body portion 101 terminates with an electronicconnector 109 coupled with the battery. The electronic connector 109 canbe a USB connector. In other embodiments, the wireless headset systemincludes a flexible printed circuit board in the housing. In anotherembodiment, at least one of the ear-bud portion 102 and the body portion101 is constructed at least in part of a flexible material, the flexiblematerial inwardly flexible to vary at least the clipping distance 113.

In another embodiment, the body end of the neck portion 103 coupled withthe body portion 101 forms a joint 111. This joint 111 can beconstructed at least in part of a stretchable material. The body portion101 and the ear-bud portion 102 can be outwardly flexible to vary theclipping distance 113 based at least in part on the neck portion 103being at least partially moveable about the joint 111. The wirelessheadset device 100 can have a clipping spring 110 coupled with the neckportion 103 and at least one of the body portion 101 and the ear-budportion 102, the clipping spring 110 having a spring tension resistingoutward movement about the joint 111 to increase the clipping distance113.

In certain embodiments of the wireless headset system, the wirelesscommunications component 600 can communicate with the wireless hostdevice 201 using Bluetooth communications. The wireless communicationscomponent 600 can be paired to the wireless host device 201 and at leasta second host device 601.

In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “having” are used asthe plain language equivalents of the term “comprising”; the term “inwhich” is equivalent to “wherein.” Further, the limitations of thefollowing claims are not written in means-plus-function format and arenot intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralof said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention arenot intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unlessexplicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,”“including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having aparticular property may include additional such elements not having thatproperty. Certain embodiments may be shown as having like or similarelements, however, this is merely for illustration purposes, and suchembodiments need not necessarily have the same elements unless specifiedin the claims.

As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility ofan occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specifiedproperty, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb byexpressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibilityassociated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “maybe” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable,or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while takinginto account that in some circumstances the modified term may sometimesnot be appropriate, capable, or suitable. For example, in somecircumstances an event or capacity can be expected, while in othercircumstances the event or capacity cannot occur—this distinction iscaptured by the terms “may” and “may be.”

This written description may use examples to disclose the invention andalso to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice theinvention, including making and using any devices or systems andperforming any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of theinvention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples thatoccur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended tohe within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements thatdo not differentiate from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal language of the claims.

While the claimed subject matter of the present application has beendescribed with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that various changes may be made andequivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope orspirit of the claimed subject matter. In addition, many modificationsmay be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachingsof the claimed subject matter without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the claimed subject matter not be limitedto the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the claimed subjectmatter will include all embodiments falling within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless headset system for a wireless hostdevice comprising: a housing having at least a wireless communicationscomponent configured to communicate with a wireless host device, thehousing including: a body portion; an ear-bud portion having at least aspeaker operatively coupled with the wireless communications component;and a neck portion having an ear-bud end and a body end, the ear-bud endcoupled with the ear-bud portion, the body end coupled with the bodyportion, the neck portion separating the ear-bud portion and the bodyportion by a distance; where the housing is attachable on the wirelesshost device between an inner surface of the ear-bud portion and an innersurface of the body portion; and where the body portion and the ear-budportion are positionable to vary the distance between the body portionand the ear-bud portion.
 2. The wireless headset system of claim 1,wherein the distance varies over a length of the ear-bud portion,wherein the body portion and the ear-bud portion are separated by aninner distance at a top of the ear-bud portion, the inner distance beingequal to or greater than a thickness of the wireless host device, theear-bud portion separated from the body portion by a clipping distanceat the bottom of the ear-bud portion.
 3. The wireless headset system ofclaim 2 wherein at least one of the ear-bud portion and the body portionare outwardly flexible to vary the clipping distance based at least inpart on the neck portion being at least partially flexible.
 4. Thewireless headset system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the ear-budportion and the body portion is constructed at least in part of acompressible material, the compressible material compressing orexpanding to increase or decrease the clipping distance.
 5. The wirelessheadset system of claim 2, further comprising a clipping spring coupledwith the neck portion and at least one of the body portion and theear-bud portion, the clipping spring having a spring tension resistingincrease to the clipping distance by outward flexing.
 6. The wirelessheadset system of claim I wherein the body portion comprises amicrophone component operatively coupled with the wirelesscommunications component.
 7. The wireless headset system of claim Ifurther comprising a clip which includes a plug configured to mate witha host device port, the clip is configured to removeably secure thewireless headset housing to the wireless host device.
 8. The wirelessheadset system of claim 1 wherein the neck portion is curved.
 9. Thewireless headset system of claim 1 further comprising a battery in thehousing.
 10. The wireless headset system of claim 9 wherein the bodyportion terminates with an electronic connector coupled with thebattery.
 11. The wireless headset system of claim 10 wherein theelectronic connector is a USB connector.
 12. The wireless headset systemof claim 1 wherein the body portion comprises at least one of a displayand a camera.
 13. The wireless headset system of claim 1 furthercomprising a flexible printed circuit board in the housing.
 14. Thewireless headset system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the ear-budportion and the body portion is constructed at least in part of aflexible material, the flexible material inwardly flexible to vary atleast the clipping distance.
 15. The wireless headset system of claim 2wherein the body end of the neck portion coupled with the body portionforms a joint.
 16. The wireless headset system of claim 15 wherein thejoint is constructed at least in part of a stretchable material.
 17. Thewireless headset system of claim 15 wherein the body portion and theear-bud portion are outwardly flexible to vary the clipping distancebased at least in part on the neck portion being at least partiallymoveable about the joint.
 18. The wireless headset system of claim 17further comprising a clipping spring coupled with the neck portion andat least one of the body portion and the ear-bud portion, the clippingspring having a spring tension resisting outward movement about thejoint to increase the clipping distance.
 19. The wireless headset systemof claim 1 wherein the wireless communications component communicateswith the wireless host device using Bluetooth communications.
 20. Thewireless headset system of claim 19 wherein the wireless communicationscomponent can be paired to the wireless host device and at least asecond host device.